Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Dividing the Enemy from Within
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"…You're saying we should release the prisoners we captured in battle?"
The Legion Commander gave me a look that said he was having trouble wrapping his head around my proposal.
I get it. Releasing anywhere from dozens to potentially hundreds of prisoners.
It's no different from saying we're handing the enemy back some of the forces we've whittled down.
To a soldier whose duty it is to fight for the Empire's victory, it's utter nonsense.
"Yes, Legion Commander."
"…I'll need a more detailed explanation, Young Master Kael."
At least he's not barking at me like some random extra would with a curt 'No!'
Instead, he's asking for the reasoning behind it, showing his chops as a commander.
Truly befitting the Legion Commander of the elite 12th Legion, I thought as I replied.
"From our Imperial Army's perspective, capturing a few prisoners doesn't give us any real advantage."
"No advantage? Prisoners are proof of our victories and spoils of war, aren't they?"
"At the very least, unlike objects that serve as evidence or loot, prisoners don't eat, fight back, or require guards to keep them from escaping."
History is full of instances where prisoners were massacred.
Not all for the same reasons, of course.
I oppose killing those who surrender and lose the will to fight.
That said, there are times when it's unavoidable.
'Prisoners are a burden. Feeding them, watching them—it drains resources and manpower.'
If the side that captured the enemy is in good shape, they can afford to treat them humanely.
But not when you're scraping by yourself. No, especially not when you're on the brink of collapse.
Our 12th Legion's situation right now is far from comfortable.
We've entered Pavilion Pass and blocked the chokepoint, but that's all we've accomplished.
We have to wait for the main forces to advance through other routes and put pressure on the Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance.
On top of that, our hasty march meant we couldn't fully secure our rear supply lines.
In short, our supplies aren't as plentiful as we'd like.
"…So you're saying that prisoners are more liability than asset, and we'd be better off releasing them?"
"We can't just slaughter them outright, can we?"
"Of course not. That would just hand the enemy a perfect excuse."
The Empire was indeed furious at the Eastern 3 Kingdoms' declaration of war and their provocations.
But separately from that, indiscriminate pillaging was strictly forbidden.
What does that mean? We're signaling that we won't do anything to turn public opinion against us.
It's a warning to the military, which could get overzealous, to watch their step.
Prisoner massacres in that context? I guarantee heads would roll the moment the war ends.
"Therefore, I formally propose to you, Legion Commander, that we release the prisoners."
"Hmm…"
"Oh, and for the record, I'm not suggesting we release every single one."
"Not all of them?"
"Legion Commander, do you know who the commander of the Eastern 3 Kingdoms forces that entered Pavilion Pass is?"
The Legion Commander answered immediately, as if it were obvious.
"A man named Betel Folkerg from the Porland Kingdom."
"Correct. From the Porland Kingdom—the weakest of the three in terms of influence."
After that exchange, a brief silence fell. Then the Legion Commander tilted his head.
As if asking if that was all, I stayed quiet, signaling for him to wait for more.
"…Young Master Kael. Are you saying that to sow discord in their ranks? Since their commander is from Porland, you're proposing to release only their soldiers?"
"Something like that."
The Legion Commander let out a thoughtful hum at my response.
Then he began, "Listen, Young Master Kael."
"Their alliance command isn't staffed by fools. They'll anticipate something like that. Do you think they'll just let it happen when they know it's meant to divide them?"
"Of course they won't. Yes, Legion Commander. Their 'command' won't let it happen."
I put emphasis on the word 'command,' and it seemed to click for him.
He stared at me for a moment, muttered 'No way?' and crossed his arms.
"What you're saying sounds like you're not targeting their command structure, but those below them—the rank-and-file soldiers. Am I right?"
"Exactly, Legion Commander."
Now, let's think about the plight of the soldiers in the Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance—not their commanders.
The higher-ups drove them relentlessly here with barely any rest.
They ran until they were puking blood, fought hard, and still suffered a clear defeat.
The bigwigs probably told them it was just a temporary retreat to regroup.
But that's proof they lost. Why retreat if you're winning?
And now, in that situation, the captured prisoners return—and only the Porland guys are there?
'I wonder what the Burkhai and Kaden soldiers will think when they see that.'
They're fighting the Empire together now, but not long ago, they were squabbling among themselves.
Yet the comrades they fought alongside with didn't come back.
Only those pathetic, backwater Porland bumpkins returned intact?
"Command is the leadership's role. I won't deny that. But war isn't won by command alone. Wars are fought by people. So how you sway those people—that's what decides it."
Nothing complicated here. My memories from my past life are crystal clear on this.
From books to documentaries to YouTube algorithms.
How to incite division. What a master troll looks like.
I can't access them now, but these memories are more than enough.
"And Legion Commander, people are like this: when you see someone else waver, you start to waver too, right?"
Who knows? Maybe the soldiers' unrest will make the commanders fold too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance launched their second assault.
The main target was once again the defensive line of the Empire's 12th Legion at the chokepoint.
They hammered at it fiercely while also attacking the hills on both flanks.
They needed at least probing attacks to prevent us from exposing our sides.
But once more, the alliance failed to achieve their goals.
Their soldiers' training levels varied wildly, while ours showed uniform discipline.
Plus, unlike their fragmented chain of command, ours was streamlined.
"…Pull the troops back."
At the commander's order, the soldiers trudged back to their lines.
Passing the empty spots left by fallen comrades, they couldn't hide their gloom.
They'd been relieved thinking those comrades had at least died in battle.
The officers had painted the Imperials as brutal monsters.
Captured prisoners would be enslaved, then used as arrow fodder.
From green recruits to seasoned veterans, they'd all bought into it.
But yesterday, and now today again, the captured soldiers returned to camp.
"What? What? Did the Imperials release them again?"
"Move! Are our guys there? Are they?!"
Dozens yesterday. Dozens more today.
The common thread? They were all from Porland.
Watching that scene, a question began to form in the soldiers' minds.
It's weird. Why is the Empire only releasing Porland soldiers?
If they're using them as slaves and arrow fodder, shouldn't they cherish every single one?
Releasing prisoners means restoring enemy numbers you've worked hard to reduce.
Why would the Empire take that risk?
"Listen, our so-called commander is from Porland."
"Did that commander cut a secret deal with the Empire? Begging to save Porland lives?"
"Why are the Imperials sending back those worthless Porland scum intact, but not us from Burkhai or Kaden? It's suspicious! Doesn't make sense!"
Curiosity turned to doubt. Doubt to suspicion. Suspicion to conviction.
Pieces falling together painted an unexpected picture.
Field officers aren't idiots. They're right there with the troops.
They know the state of the units they lead.
"Cut the nonsense and focus on the fight, you idiots!"
"The Empire's trying to break our alliance's unity! Don't fall for it, morons!"
If Kael had seen that, he'd probably have chuckled and said:
People are strange—they don't grasp the idea of negation.
Tell them not to think something, and it pops into their heads more. Deny it, and it sticks even harder.
No secret deal with Porland? Secret deal? Secret deal??
The commander couldn't possibly have ulterior motives? Ulterior motives? Ulterior motives??
That denial only makes the thought burn brighter in their memories, repeating the cycle.
As the soldiers wavered, some inevitably started thinking differently.
They were the type to assume the worst and whisper 'What if?'—fools who thought themselves awake while stirring up division.
'Our commander's from Porland. We're losing over and over. And only Porland gets their prisoners back. Our guys don't!'
'No wonder the looks from Burkhai and Kaden toward Porland have been off.'
'What if—just what if—the commander, or the whole Porland Kingdom, secretly contacted the Empire?'
Forgotten was that they themselves were the first to challenge the commander's authority.
They were the ones questioning Porland's rights.
Some fixated solely on 'internal betrayal,' replaying it endlessly.
And the moment they considered it a real possibility—even without certainty.
At least in this Pavilion Pass region, the Eastern 3 Kingdoms could no longer function as a true alliance.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I sat atop the mountain, looking down at the Eastern 3 Kingdoms alliance camp.
They're not fools; they must know what I'm aiming for.
They're surely making every effort to counter it.
But as always in these moments, the one who spreads the seed wins.
I don't need everyone to believe it.
A few who do will prove they're not liars by shaking everyone else around them.